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On behalf of Hospice of Homer (HOH), I want to thank the Kenai Peninsula United Way (UW) for the generous allocation HOH recently received from them.

We are with pleased with UW’s level of support this year as well as in the past. Also, thank you to all the volunteers involved in the UW process including the UW Board of Directors and the allocation committee. Anyone who has every served on a board or a committee knows how much dedication and time it takes. In addition, HOH wants to thank all the UW contributors especially those who designated their monies go to HOH.

Accolades and gratitude to the kind and generous Kenai Peninsula community who provided love, support and encouragement to The Oftedal Family! Over the past few weeks through the Soldotna Middle School’s Pie Auction, the Cash Raffle, the Wild Salmon BBQ/Musical Evening, Silent Auction as well as the many individuals funds were raised to assist the Oftedals through this challenging battle with cancer. Special thanks to Bridges Community Resource Network, Inc.

It’s great that Kelly Wolf and his crew have restored so much stream habitat. Why, though, is habitat restoration so admirable, while Mr. Wolf rejects the simple conservation of healthy habitat, which is the goal of Ordinance 2013-18? I suppose our culture prefers expensive efforts to fix things rather than seeking not to break them in the first place.

Beginning with an external review dated June 30, 2009, authored by Mr. Lawrence R. Heath, who was contracted by the Kenai Watershed Forum through the use of public AWCA grant funds administered by Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. The Kenai Peninsula Borough has been up to its arm pits in habitat anadramous ordinances. What started with KPB 2011-12 under the Carey administration and now KPB 2013-28 of the Navarre administration and the habitat anadramous task force, the supporters of zoning private property have been trying to tie this to fish.

The oil tax debate in Alaska continues on, as advocates seek a referendum to undo recently passed oil tax reforms. This effort is based on concerns over state revenues and our ability to fund important public services, the fear of personal income taxes and cuts to the PFD, lack of commitments from the oil companies about their plans to invest in Alaska and to hire Alaskans, and a basic mistrust of the oil industry.

Wasn’t it interesting to receive the mailed flyers recommending the repeal of Ordinance 2011-12, from Chicago, Illinois! Wow, with all their big city problems, amazing they take an interest in the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. First off, if the Assembly accepts Ord. 2013-18, Ord. 2011-12, which was never enacted on the Kenai Peninsula, will be history.

The Anadromous Streams Habitat Protection Ordinance will have a very negative effect on the real estate market as it expands the river, stream and water bodies (lakes) subject to the ordinance from 602.45 miles to 2,317.25 miles with a 50 horizontal feet set-back from the subject waterways and bodies. Much of the land affected is private property. Private property is rare in Alaska and accounts for only 3 percent of the total land within the state. This will have a significant impact on the price of land and the enjoyment of property.

Nikiski High School would like to thank the local businesses and agencies that have so generously given scholarships and awards to our students. We would also like to thank the representatives that attended our Awards Night to present them.

The Kenai Senior Center’s March for Meals Fundraiser in support of their Meals on Wheels program so “no senior goes hungry” was held March 22, and once again, the community came together with outstanding support. We had tremendous response from businesses and corporations who donated funds or auction items for the fundraiser.

Have you heard of the Soldotna High School/Skyview High School reconfiguration plan? Supposedly they are going to combine them back at the SoHi 10-12 building. Possibly the 9th at the Romig building and 7-8 at the Skyview building. The part that bugs me is that they are going to get rid of the SoHi and Skyview mascots and colors. The students could possibly vote on new ones. I really wish they would just combine them. They could be the Panther Stars or the Star Panthers and blue, white, purple, black and silver. It would be just fine. They are “siblings” after all.